2023-09-12 Special MeetingEDMONDS CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
APPROVED MINUTES
September 12, 2023
ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT
Neil Tibbott, Council President
Vivian Olson, Councilmember
Will Chen, Councilmember
Diane Buckshnis, Councilmember
Susan Paine, Councilmember
Dave Teitzel, Councilmember
Jenna Nand, Councilmember
ELECTED OFFICIALS ABSENT
Mike Nelson, Mayor
1. CALL TO ORDER/FLAG SALUTE
STAFF PRESENT
Susan McLaughlin, Planning & Dev. Dir.
Jeff Taraday, City Attorney
Scott Passey, City Clerk
Jerrie Bevington, Camera Operator
The special Edmonds City Council meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m. by Council President Tibbott
virtually and in the City Council Conference Room, 212 — 5th Avenue North, Edmonds.
2. ROLL CALL
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
4. COUNCIL BUSINESS
AUTHORIZATION FOR MAYOR TO SIGN AMENDMENT 2 TO INTERLOCAL
COOPERATION AGREEMENT WITH SNOHOMISH COUNTY FOR HUD FUNDING
Planning & Development Director Susan McLaughlin explained in 1999, the City signed an interlocal
cooperation agreement with Snohomish County to be eligible for block grants from the United States
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as part of a consortium of cities. The agreement
was last amended in 2014. In June 2023 the City received a letter from Snohomish County indicating the
city would automatically requalify for the program under the current agreement and no action was
necessary. However, on September 1 the City received an email from Snohomish County stating an
amendment to the agreement was needed in order for the City to continue to be eligible and that the
agreement needed to be signed by the mayor by September 15, 2023. The purpose of tonight's special
meeting is to authorize the mayor to sign Amendment 2 to the agreement.
In response to a question submitted Councilmember Teitzel regarding whether the City has benefitted from
this program and block grants in the past, Ms. McLauglin advised she contacted Snohomish County and
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September 12, 2023
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was told the City has benefitted from block grants in the past. She requested an itemization of the grants
the City has received, but did not receive the list in time for tonight's meeting.
Councilmember Teitzel asked if the City was a passive recipient of HUD funds or did the City request
funding through the program. Ms. McLaughlin explained Snohomish County receives the funds and the
City applies for allocation. The City has received funds in the very recent past. Councilmember Teitzel
asked how the funding has been used. Ms. McLaughlin reiterated she requested an itemized list, but did not
receive it in advance of tonight's meeting. The Edmonds Public Facilities District (Edmonds Center for the
Arts) has received block grants as have other community facilities in Edmonds. She relayed it would in
Edmonds' best interest to continue the interlocal cooperation agreement because it has served the City well
in the past. She did not see any downside to signing the agreement. A minor amendment was made to the
2014 agreement which requires re -authorization of the agreement.
Councilmember Nand asked how much money the City has received in the past, how much was anticipated
to be received in 2024, and whether the funds could be used for the comprehensive plan update and/or
development activity in the Highway 99 subarea. Ms. McLaughlin said with more time to digest the
information, there could be a more robust discussion. She suggested scheduling this for future council
discussion; she not been involved with Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) program in the
past.
Councilmember Olson asked staff to define a block grant. Ms. McLaughlin explained block grants include
the CDBG, home investment partnerships related to affordable housing, and emergency solution grants.
The funds are used to meet affordable housing and community development needs in the community.
Councilmember Buckshnis referred to HB 1590 which provides funds through Snohomish County from
sales tax. She asked if this agreement would have any impact if the City receives funds via HB 1590. Ms.
McLaughlin answered the material she has received from Snohomish County does not indicate the City
would be ineligible for funds via HB 1590. The consortium is beneficial to the City because it increases the
level of assured funding by partnering with neighboring cities. Aligning with other cities and in partnership
with Snohomish County is a more desirable route. Councilmember Buckshnis asked Ms. McLauglin to
forward council updated information on HB 1590.
Councilmember Chen observed this is a funding pool available through Snohomish County that various
cities can apply for. He asked if Edmonds received a predetermined share or did it depend on the level of
need in each community. For example, if Edmonds had a bigger need, did it get a bigger share.
Council President Tibbott asked if that information had any bearing on authorizing the mayor to sign the
agreement. Ms. McLaughlin answered if the City does not sign the agreement, the City would be ineligible
for funding in the three year term. She offered to gather more information regarding Councilmember Chen's
question.
Councilmember Chen asked the deadline to sign the amendment to the agreement and if there was more
time to review it. Ms. McLaughlin answered the deadline was September 15, 2023. She clarified the City
did not provide funding; it is a consortium of cities that leverage their ability to receive funds.
Councilmember Paine referred to the second whereas in the Interlocal Cooperation Agreement that contains
a list of items that the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 makes federal financial assistance
available for.
COUNCILMEMBER PAINE MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER TEITZEL, TO
AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO SIGN AMENDMENT 2 TO THE INTERLOCAL COOPERATION
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September 12, 2023
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AGREEMENT WITH SNOHOMISH FOR HUD FUNDING. MOTION CARRIED (6-0-1),
COUNCILMEMBER CHEN ABSTAINING.
5. ADJOURN
With no further business, the Council meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m.
Nicholas Falk, Deputy City Clerk for
SCOTT PASSEY, CITY CLERK
Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
September 12, 2023
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